School official to stay

Cohoes principal disciplined; says he's sorry about impact

Updated 9:40 pm, Thursday, May 23, 2013

A city high school principal who met a former student in the school parking lot to purchase .22 caliber ammunition was disciplined by the board of education Wednesday but will keep his job.

Principal Joseph Rajczak violated the school's code of conduct, but city police cleared him of violating any laws.

District spokeswoman Joellen Gardner said the board, after an executive session, voted to penalize Rajczak but opted to keep the exact nature of that action private.

"He made a mistake, but his years of service as a veteran administrator was considered as well as his long commitment to his students," said Mark Pascale, school board president. "He has apologized and we want to again stress that at no time were any students or staff in any danger."

Police Chief Bill Heslin said Rajczak bought several hundred rounds of the small-caliber ammunition May 1 from the former student who works at a local sporting goods store.

The district reported the incident May 9.

Rajczak apologized Thursday in a prepared statement.

"I used poor judgment and fully accept the district's consequences for my actions," Rajczak wrote "I have always held the safety and security of our students and staff at the highest level in my role as the building principal. I am truly sorry for the impact this situation has had upon the school and the community that I care so deeply about, and have worked so hard to build."

Most of the 100 students, staff, parents and alumni who spoke at a board meeting this month supported Rajczak and did not want him fired.

Rajczak, a principal since 1999, was on paid administrative leave and will now return to his job.